The Ambitious Kitchen Cookbook - by Monique Volz (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Recipe queen, social media star, and the beloved blogger behind the popular recipe website Ambitious Kitchen presents over 125 nutrient-dense, flavor-packed recipes for every meal of the day.

Millions of readers know Monique Volz's website, Ambitious Kitchen, as a go-to resource for inventive, flavorful recipes that are full of nutrition, comfort, and personality. Now, in her debut cookbook, Monique wants others to find their own Ambitious Kitchen and discover their own version of health, bold flavors, and above all, the unique happiness that food can bring to your life. Whether you're looking for a show-stopping dish to bring to a gathering, a new home-cooked tradition, or a nourishing meal everyone will love, The Ambitious Kitchen Cookbook has the answers.

Monique joyfully showcases a balanced approach to health, with comforting, vibrant dishes that are amped up with extra vegetables, protein, and fiber. Wake up and sip on a Glowing Skin Vitamin A Smoothie or bake The Best Cinnamon Rolls You'll Ever Eat for someone you love. Enjoy nutritious lunches such as Buffalo Chicken Chop Chop Salad or Roasty Toasty Tomato Soup with Herbed Grilled Cheese Naan. Family dinner might look like It's a Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Chicken, Sweet Potato & Bacon Situation or Pepperoni Pizza Baked Orzo with Basil and Quick Hot Honey on a busy night, or Everyone's Favorite Baked Chicken Tacos or Marry Me Ropa Vieja for a crowd. And let's not forget show-stopping desserts like Tahini Pumpkin Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting and outrageously good Double Strawberry Oatmeal Cream Pies (Little Debras).

Most recipes include "Make It Your Way" and "Make It Nutrient Dense" tips to customize food to your tastes. And as an added bonus, most can be made gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan, allowing readers to tailor recipes to their own version of health.

As you turn the pages, you'll find yourself a guest at Monique's table, enjoying playful, comforting recipes that will impress everyone (including yourself!).

Review Quotes

"As someone who has followed the Ambitious Kitchen blog for a long time, I have been craving a book by Monique for years. Quite frankly, she's exceeded my expectations in her debut book. The recipes are bold yet approachable and are sure to ignite your culinary passion. From comforting family favorites like her Weeknight Chicken Picadillo to adventurous twists like her Chipotle Gouda Pumpkin Turkey Enchiladas, Monique effortlessly combines creativity with approachability, ensuring each dish is a success. This book is an instant classic for me!"--Alex Snodgrass, New York Times bestselling author and creator of The Defined Dish

"To say I'm excited for the world to see Monique's first cookbook is an understatement! Monique's zest for feeding herself and her family nourishing, colorful, and delicious meals shines through on every single page. From the Comforting Portobello, Poblano & Pepper Jack Cheese Enchilada Skillet to the Mini Pesto Turkey Meatballs, these are recipes that you can incorporate into your everyday life! Nothing is overly complicated or fussy, just delightful, beautiful, healthy-ish food! It's exactly how I want to eat every single day!"--Gaby Dalkin, New York Times bestselling author and creator of What's Gaby Cooking

"The Ambitious Kitchen Cookbook is an invitation to make your meals more nutritious, more flavorful, and . . . more fun! In addition to 125 mouthwatering recipes (Coffee Lover's Baked Oatmeal! Caramelized Corn Brown Butter Pasta!), Monique shares tips (like how to freeze anything) and substitutions to help you fit healthy, delicious home cooking into your everyday life."--Jeanine Donofrio, author of Love & Lemons Simple Feel Good Food

"Monique's enthusiasm for cooking will inspire you to cook through this whole book! Her recipes are boldly flavored and prove that healthy food can be anything but boring. There's plenty for everyone in The Ambitious Kitchen Cookbook, and I'm particularly excited about the vegetarian mains chapter. Every recipe features a vibrant photo, and the book is beautifully designed, --you'll want to display it on your coffee table when it's not in your kitchen!"--Kathryne Taylor, author of Love Real Food and creator of Cookie and Kate

"Monique's heart and soul shines through these pages and jumps out in the form of easy weeknight meals, cookies for your family, and smoothies for busy mornings (just to name a few). Monique shows us that ambitious food isn't about unnecessarily complicated food; instead it's about food that brings comfort, warmth, and ease."--Adrianna Adarme, creator of A Cozy Kitchen and author of The Year of Cozy

"Monique's recipes have long been a staple in my kitchen, and her cookbook somehow takes it to another level. These are the types of recipes that will get you excited about cooking--novel, flavor-packed, nutrient-forward, and easy enough to fit into our busy lives. An instant classic!"--Liz Moody, author of 100 Ways to Change Your Life and host of The Liz Moody Podcast

About the Author

Monique Volz founded her food and wellness blog, Ambitious Kitchen, with the hopes of sharing her healthy comfort foods with the world while processing the unexpected passing of her father. Monique immediately connected with readers looking for a dose of inspiration, storytelling, and comfort through food. Now you'll not only find a website with hundreds of unique nourishing recipes, but also a dedicated, ambitious community who crave Monique's inspiration. Monique currently lives in Chicago with her husband and three little boys.